The Clifton House

The Historical Society of Fort Washington (HSFW) was founded in 1935 and is now in its 73 rd. year of service to its membership and the general public. Our headquarters--The Clifton House at 473 Bethlehem Pike, Ft. Washington, Pa is situated in the heart of the pivotally strategic White­marsh Encampment in the late Fall of 1777. It was from these surrounding hills that Washington's ill-equipped Continental Army dug in and, aided by advance warning, turned back the British attempt to end the Revolution with a surprise attack. Following the Battle of Edge Hill on December 7, 1777, Gen. Howe realized the futility of his Army's maneuvers and returned to Philadelphia.

     Four days later, on December 11th, the American patriots began their arduous trek to Valley Forge.

The Clifton House stands on the site of what is believed to have been the Sandy Run Inn, due to the fact that the Sandy run Creek runs alongside the building, which, tradition says, served as encampment headquarters for Gen. George Weedon and Colonels Stephen Moylan and Clement Biddle. As stated by one of the soldiers that patronized the tavern's common room during the Whitemarsh redoubt, "At night if you put your foot down, it was certain to come down on someone else's foot!"

Although the original Sandy Run Inn was likely destroyed by fire, the Clifton House, too, has likewise been victimized on more than one occasion. Date stones place the current structure at 1801, but most of its present Federal architectural design stems from the renovation that followed a fire in the 1850's. When It was restored at that time, the inn became known as the "Cliff House," due to the steep limestone cliffs in back of the building. A subsequent proprietor--one of 20 owners over the years--altered the name of the old inn to "Clifton House".

The property (approximately .78 acres) also bears a milestone engraved with the date “1768" and "14 M to P," indicating the distance to the origin of Philadelphia's stagecoach line (which followed the "King's Highway," as it was then known, to Bethlehem).

During the "Gay Nineties," the Clifton House became an exclusive resort hotel for vacationing Philadelphians. But as times changed--largely through the advent of the automobile-- the "Country Inn and Hotel" gradually fell on hard times. Then, four years after the building had been purchased with state and federal funds in 1931, it became a candidate for the wrecking ball. But upon hearing that the old inn might be razed, the newly formed HSFW along with other preservationists inter­vened. It was through their combined efforts that the building was saved. HSFW has occupied the Clifton House since 1937, and through the years has vastly improved its overall functionality by serving the public via the following venues: (1) The E. Hamilton Parke Library, featuring many one­of-a-kind sources of information; (2) the Meeting Room, with its 18th century decor, offering an aesthetic, period setting for a variety of interesting guest speakers and performances September through May; (3) an educational four-room museum, the highlight of which is an interior replica of a classic "one room" schoolhouse fashioned after the nearby Union School of Whitemarsh, which dates back to the Revolutionary era: and (4) gifts of books, etc., to charitable causes.

HSFW operates under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks, Department of Environmental Resources.

     Briefly stated, the purpose of HSFW is to preserve the Clifton House (including its invaluable museum and library contents) as well as to stimulate public interest and support for history.  Primary emphasis addresses matters of local area historic significance through the maintenance and development of the HSFW library, museum displays, monthly meetings, committee activities, and many special events. Clifton House is open to the public every Wednesday from 2-4 p.m., as well as the first and third Sunday of the month. It is also open by appointment. We are closed during July and August. There is no charge for admission but contributions to maintain the library and museum are greatly appreciated. The phone number is 215 646-6065.

             Monthly meetings with extremely interesting presentations about historical subjects are held at 8:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month except July and August. These meetings are open to the public and are held at Clifton House.